Power Ministry Forms Committee to Standardise Smart Meter Training

24 Sep 2025 CW Team

The National Data Analytics and Reporting Centre at the National Power Training Institute, Faridabad, will conduct training programmes for DISCOM officials and provide guidance on customising use case analytics. It will also offer a “Leadership and Strategic Management” course for senior management to support effective implementation of data analytics.

The steering committee will supervise the design and development of training modules, approve SOPs and guidelines emphasising cybersecurity and data privacy, ensure alignment with the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Provider Standard Bidding Document, suggest a central support mechanism for DISCOMs, and review programme implementation.

The sub-working group will assist in designing modules for employees across levels—from executive engineers to managing directors—and consult stakeholders to develop SOPs, guidelines, and a handbook focused on data analytics, cybersecurity, and privacy.

This initiative forms part of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), aimed at institutionalising data analytics-based decision-making across utilities and unlocking the full value of data generated through Advanced Metering Infrastructure.

The Smart Meter National Programme under RDSS targets completion by 31 March 2026. As of February 2025, only 20.85 million smart meters had been installed against the 250 million target for FY26.

The Rs 3.3 trillion (~$37.36 billion) RDSS is expected to be extended by two years until FY28. The Ministry informed Parliament’s Standing Committee on Energy that significant work remains, particularly in smart meter deployment, which is likely to take approximately two years.

The Ministry of Power is establishing a steering committee and a sub-working group of domain experts to standardise training modules and create standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines for smart meter data analytics, adoption of standards-based regimes, and cybersecurity practices for distribution companies (DISCOMs).The National Data Analytics and Reporting Centre at the National Power Training Institute, Faridabad, will conduct training programmes for DISCOM officials and provide guidance on customising use case analytics. It will also offer a “Leadership and Strategic Management” course for senior management to support effective implementation of data analytics.The steering committee will supervise the design and development of training modules, approve SOPs and guidelines emphasising cybersecurity and data privacy, ensure alignment with the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Provider Standard Bidding Document, suggest a central support mechanism for DISCOMs, and review programme implementation.The sub-working group will assist in designing modules for employees across levels—from executive engineers to managing directors—and consult stakeholders to develop SOPs, guidelines, and a handbook focused on data analytics, cybersecurity, and privacy.This initiative forms part of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), aimed at institutionalising data analytics-based decision-making across utilities and unlocking the full value of data generated through Advanced Metering Infrastructure.The Smart Meter National Programme under RDSS targets completion by 31 March 2026. As of February 2025, only 20.85 million smart meters had been installed against the 250 million target for FY26.The Rs 3.3 trillion (~$37.36 billion) RDSS is expected to be extended by two years until FY28. The Ministry informed Parliament’s Standing Committee on Energy that significant work remains, particularly in smart meter deployment, which is likely to take approximately two years.

Infrastructure Urban

05 May 2026

Meghalaya And Assam Hold Talks To End Transport Stoppages In Garo Hills

Meghalaya and Assam have opened talks aimed at ending recent stoppages of commodity transport in the Garo Hills, officials said. The deputy chief minister, in charge of home affairs, reported that both state governments are coordinating to resolve disruptions and to restore normal movement of goods. He acknowledged that misunderstandings may have contributed to the incidents and that clarification between administrative units is under way. The discussions are intended to produce practical arrangements that will allow consignments to move without hindrance while respecting local procedures. The..

Infrastructure Transport

05 May 2026

Kochi Metro Records 1.375 mn Rise In Passengers In FY26

Kochi Metro recorded a marginal rise in ridership in the financial year 2025-26, carrying 1.375 mn more passengers than in the previous year. The service carried 36.8 million (mn) passengers in 2025-26 compared with 35.5 mn in 2024-25, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.9 per cent. The growth was described as distributed rather than concentrated in isolated spikes. A month-wise analysis shows steady gains across quarters. In the first quarter, ridership increased from 8.57 mn to 8.84 mn, while the second quarter rose from 9.13 mn to 9.51 mn. These trends indicated broad-based improvemen..

Infrastructure Transport

05 May 2026

Ghaziabad Plans 16km Metro Link To Delhi Via Hindon Airport

Ghaziabad authorities are pursuing a 16 km metro link to Delhi that will run via Hindon Airport, and a detailed project report is under way. The plan is intended to improve connectivity between Ghaziabad and the national capital and to provide an interchange with the airport. Officials said the project is being studied to assess alignments, station locations and cost estimates ahead of formal approvals and tendering. The announcement follows the inauguration of the Delhi?Faridabad metro extension, which will offer hassle free travel for around 0.2 mn daily commuters between the national capita..